KLM Announces Suspension of Direct San Diego-Amsterdam Flights for the Winter, Impacting European Connectivity for US Travelers

Published on July 19, 2025

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has announced the suspension of its direct San Diego-Amsterdam flights for the winter season, a move that will impact European connectivity for US travelers. Starting from October 23, 2025, the airline will halt its service on this route, resuming it on February 21, 2026. The suspension is primarily due to low demand during the winter months, leaving San Diego with only two direct European connections from US airlines. British Airways and Lufthansa will continue their transatlantic services, but the loss of KLM’s service significantly reduces travel options for passengers seeking direct flights to Europe. This change highlights the challenges of sustaining seasonal routes and the growing competition for limited winter travel demand.

Examining the Route’s Performance

The Amsterdam-San Diego route, which was launched in May 2025, has been a recent addition to KLM’s extensive network. Before this route, San Diego had no direct connection to Amsterdam. However, despite its relatively recent introduction, KLM has decided to suspend the service for the winter months, likely due to insufficient demand during this period.

This route has been operating three times a week—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays—using the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which has a seating capacity of 275. The aircraft is configured with four classes: 30 seats in business class, 21 in premium economy, 48 in economy plus, and 176 in economy. At 4,878 nautical miles (9,034 km), the Amsterdam-San Diego service is KLM’s longest U.S. route.

Impact of Suspension on San Diego’s European Connectivity

With KLM suspending its service to San Diego for the winter season, the city will only have two direct European connections left. British Airways and Lufthansa will continue to operate flights between San Diego and Europe. British Airways offers daily flights from London Heathrow to San Diego with Boeing 777 aircraft, while Lufthansa will provide five weekly services from Munich using Airbus A350-900 widebody aircraft. The suspension of KLM’s service will reduce options for travelers flying from San Diego to Europe during the winter months.

KLM’s Transatlantic Network Remains Robust

Despite this suspension, KLM continues to maintain a strong presence in the transatlantic market. The airline operates flights to 15 U.S. destinations during the summer months, with its busiest route being between Amsterdam and New York (JFK), which operates 18 weekly flights. Other major routes with daily services include Amsterdam to San Francisco (SFO), Washington D.C. (IAD), Atlanta (ATL), and Chicago O’Hare (ORD). KLM’s extensive network offers numerous options for travelers flying between Europe and the U.S., ensuring continuous connectivity.

The airline’s 15 U.S. destinations during the summer season include:

• Amsterdam to Atlanta (ATL)
• Amsterdam to Austin (AUS)
• Amsterdam to Boston (BOS)
• Amsterdam to Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
• Amsterdam to Houston (IAH)
• Amsterdam to Las Vegas (LAS)
• Amsterdam to Los Angeles (LAX)
• Amsterdam to Miami (MIA)
• Amsterdam to Minneapolis (MSP)
• Amsterdam to New York (JFK)
• Amsterdam to Portland (PDX)
• Amsterdam to Salt Lake City (SLC)
• Amsterdam to San Diego (SAN)
• Amsterdam to San Francisco (SFO)
• Amsterdam to Washington Dulles (IAD)

Air France Collaboration to Tackle Staffing Shortages

In a new development, KLM has begun deploying Air France crews on its Boeing 777 aircraft for the Amsterdam-New York (JFK) route. This cross-crew partnership, a first for KLM, allows an Air France flight crew to operate KLM’s Boeing 777-200ER for a four-month period. This collaboration is part of KLM’s strategy to address a pilot shortage during the busy summer months while maintaining the high service standards expected on this popular transatlantic route.

Schiphol Airport’s Crucial Role in KLM’s Network

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) is a key hub for KLM, offering a strategic advantage as one of Europe’s busiest airports. The airport’s role has been vital in the success of KLM’s transatlantic routes, particularly the Amsterdam-San Diego connection. In 2024, about 36,000 passengers traveled between Amsterdam and San Diego, providing a solid base for KLM’s operations. San Diego was also one of the largest unserved European city pairs from Amsterdam, highlighting the potential for growth in this route.

KLM strategically schedules its flights from San Diego to align with Schiphol’s peak arrival and departure times, ensuring that passengers can connect seamlessly to other global destinations. Schiphol continues to play a critical role in the airline’s broader network, facilitating easy connections for passengers traveling beyond the major U.S. cities.

KLM has announced the suspension of its direct San Diego-Amsterdam flights for the winter season due to low demand, reducing European connectivity for US travelers to just two direct options from British Airways and Lufthansa.

KLM’s decision to suspend its Amsterdam-San Diego service for the winter season reflects the airline’s efforts to optimize its network based on demand. While this reduction limits direct flight options for travelers in San Diego, the airline’s broader U.S. network continues to provide ample choices for transatlantic travel. The collaboration between KLM and Air France, along with Schiphol Airport’s strategic role as a connection hub, will ensure that KLM remains a significant player in the transatlantic market, offering efficient travel options for passengers between Europe and the U.S.